Scammers have stooped to a new low, targeting an elderly Rancho Cucamonga woman and defrauding her out of a whopping $1.25 million. In an elaborate phone scam, con artists pretending to be from Wal-Mart International duped the 79-year-old into believing her identity was stolen and that she'd face arrest without a hefty payoff. According to a release from the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department, the victim was first contacted in October and coerced into transferring the funds to a Bank of America account. The predatory plot thickened when the scammers called back for more in December, this time threatening arrest or worse if she did not comply.
The victim's ordeal came to light after she informed her son, who then reached out to law enforcement to blow the whistle on the scammers. The Sheriff's Department informed the public via Nixle, urging residents to be on alert and offering guidance on how to avoid falling prey to these types of scams. As the investigation continues, efforts are being made to uncover the identity of the suspect—or suspects—behind this ruthless scam, with law enforcement working in lockstep with the financial institutions involved.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner's advisory starkly highlighted the lengths to which fraudsters will go to swindle people out of their hard-earned money. "Remember, government agencies and local law enforcement will not call you asking for money or your personal information," the statement said, pinpointing a vital clue that something is faulty if such a request is made.
Authorities are now appealing to the community for any leads that might help reel in the criminals. If anyone has information or suspects they have become a victim of a similar ploy, they are urged to contact the Rancho Cucamonga Station at 909-477-2800, or remain anonymous by calling the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME.
